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Easiest way to ensure that iPlayer users do have a TV licence


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Old 02-09-2016, 13:18
SepangBlue
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There's been a bit of stuff on here about the new regulations regarding the use of BBC iPlayer by people who don't actually buy a TV licence (didn't know that happened .. disgraceful!).

The BBC has said that it is not in the business of monitoring private Wi-Fi, so any comments on the theme of big brother are surely misplaced.

To my mind the simplest way to ensure that only people who have purchased a TV licence can gain access to the iPlayer, is as follows:

The first time you attempt to use the iPlayer, a box comes up asking if you have a TV licence. Too easy to just say 'Yes', even if the real answer is 'No'. So, what might then happen is for another box to appear into which you type the full reference number of your current TV licence. The BBC could then verify the facts, much in the same way that sellers verify credit card details when you make online purchases.

Once verified, an email could then be sent to the address of the registered TV licence holder, which would include a password valid for 12 months from that date. Then, whenever you go to iPlayer, you merely type in the password and you're in.

This process is used by many web forums to ensure that only bona fide forum members can contribute to threads, etc. Short term membership sites, such as Ancestry.co.uk, do this exact same thing.

There will always be a few people out there who will do every damn thing they can to avoid paying for a licence, but I believe the above method would cover most users.
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Old 02-09-2016, 14:00
Philip Wales
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Great, so instead of siting down to quickly watch something on iPlayer I now spend the next hour dicking around, looking for pieces of paper, and awaiting emails.
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Old 02-09-2016, 16:27
SepangBlue
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Great, so instead of siting down to quickly watch something on iPlayer I now spend the next hour dicking around, looking for pieces of paper, and awaiting emails.
If you read my post again Philip you'll see that the registration process and the issuing of a password via email would only be necessary ONCE in any period of twelve months, or whenever you renew your licence. Once you've got your password you'll be able to access iPlayer as often as you like just by logging in, in much the same way as you already do here on DS. No 'dicking around', you see?

Not a lot to ask for the pleasure of watching uninterrupted BBC TV, either direct or on catch-up services, is it? Into the bargain you'll get that warm glow from knowing that you've contributed to the cost of making all your favourite programmes that you like to watch on the iPlayer!
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Old 02-09-2016, 22:41
johnathome
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One small problem with this is you don't receive a TV licence now, i have no idea what my reference number is.

They just take my money.

Do you have a licence? I ask because they haven't sent out a licence for years.
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Old 02-09-2016, 23:55
-GONZO-
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One small problem with this is you don't receive a TV licence now, i have no idea what my reference number is.

They just take my money.

Do you have a licence? I ask because they haven't sent out a licence for years.
That's because you won't receive a new paper one until 2017.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ259

If you need to find out your licence then read here: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ94
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Old 03-09-2016, 09:04
television2004
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I pay for the TV licence every year on line. I tick a box in the payment page and they send me a paper licence by post.
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Old 03-09-2016, 13:47
St@mmie
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There is one major problem with this idea,
unless the BBC are given the right to limit how many devices can access Iplayer from one licence then you will just have people account sharing, parents giving their kid/s at Uni their details for example.
My own household has 8 devices legitimately using Iplayer from my licence fee, I imagine other households could well have many more.
If it ever came to pass that I had to enter my licence details to use Iplayer and the BBC were allowed to restrict the number of devices I can legitimately use from it I'd expect a reduction in what I have to pay.

EDIT:
The change I would make is to force the BBC to have a different website for Iplayer from bbc.co.uk,
I foresee over zealous inspectors using the obvious Iplayer link on the website as proof that those who genuinely don't need a licence but read bbc.co.uk as proof that a licence was needed.
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Old 03-09-2016, 22:02
Richard_T
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Simple solution: enter postcode and house number/name, iplayer checks with the same database capita use and if that address has a TVL then all is OK
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Old 04-09-2016, 22:56
zantarous
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Great so lets take something that is simple and complicate it, while we are at it lets limit the number of devices that you can use it on and only let you add or remove devices once a month.

Or leave it the way it is.
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Old 05-09-2016, 15:12
Philip Wales
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If you read my post again Philip you'll see that the registration process and the issuing of a password via email would only be necessary ONCE in any period of twelve months, or whenever you renew your licence. Once you've got your password you'll be able to access iPlayer as often as you like just by logging in, in much the same way as you already do here on DS. No 'dicking around', you see?

Not a lot to ask for the pleasure of watching uninterrupted BBC TV, either direct or on catch-up services, is it? Into the bargain you'll get that warm glow from knowing that you've contributed to the cost of making all your favourite programmes that you like to watch on the iPlayer!
I did read you post, I very rarely watch terrestrial TV so it would be once in a blue moon, when I want to watch something, then have to spend time hunting down my TV licence etc. For instance I watched The Great British Bake Off, thats the first thing I've used iPlayer for, for nearly 3 months, and last night I watched the football (that's 2 hours I'm never getting back) that was the first time my Humax has been on since the Euros.
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Old 06-09-2016, 20:55
killjoy
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Great so lets take something that is simple and complicate it, while we are at it lets limit the number of devices that you can use it on and only let you add or remove devices once a month. .

Like Virgin Anywhere you mean, which never seems to work anyway.
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Old 07-09-2016, 01:10
errea
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Who cares - less money for them to spend on kiddie fiddlers.
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Old 07-09-2016, 12:56
Daveoc64
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The first time you attempt to use the iPlayer, a box comes up asking if you have a TV licence. Too easy to just say 'Yes', even if the real answer is 'No'. So, what might then happen is for another box to appear into which you type the full reference number of your current TV licence. The BBC could then verify the facts, much in the same way that sellers verify credit card details when you make online purchases.

Once verified, an email could then be sent to the address of the registered TV licence holder, which would include a password valid for 12 months from that date. Then, whenever you go to iPlayer, you merely type in the password and you're in.
Simple solution: enter postcode and house number/name, iplayer checks with the same database capita use and if that address has a TVL then all is OK
Neither of these solutions support what the TV licence allows you to legally do.

The TV licence covers a property, rather than an indivdual, so in any case the first suggestion fails. I shouldn't be able to use my credentials at my friend's house, but I would be able to and my friend should be able to use my licence when they are at my house, but they couldn't without the login credentials - which I wouldn't be able to give them...

There are also additional rights outside of your property that a TV licence grants you.

The second suggestion is hilarious. You could simply specify any address but yours and you'd never get into trouble.
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Old 10-09-2016, 15:18
Colin_London
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That's because you won't receive a new paper one until 2017.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ259

If you need to find out your licence then read here: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ94
I just download the licence as a PDF from the TVL website - who needs a piece of paper nowadays?
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Old 15-09-2016, 21:34
noise747
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One small problem with this is you don't receive a TV licence now, i have no idea what my reference number is.

They just take my money.

Do you have a licence? I ask because they haven't sent out a licence for years.
I have a paper TV licence, I made sure of that when I applied for it, my Dad also got a paper Tv licence, again i made sure of that, keeps my Dads mind at rest that he have something to show.
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Old 03-10-2016, 10:35
noise747
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I just download the licence as a PDF from the TVL website - who needs a piece of paper nowadays?
My Dad and no doubt a load of other people who do not have access to the net. My Dad likes his licence as it is there to show to someone if they come to the door. At 87 he worries about things like that.,
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Old 04-10-2016, 08:32
speedyrite
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I doubt that anybody from TV Licensing will come to the door of somebody who they already know has got a TV Licence. It's the addresses that don't have one that they are most interested in and concentrate their efforts on!
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